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Along the most popular thoroughfares in the centre of Scotland's heritage-rich city centre sits a monolith of construction framework.

For five years, a prominent hotel on the junction of a key historic street and George IV Bridge has been a plastic-wrapped eyesore.

Tourists cannot book rooms, pedestrians are directed through narrow walkways, and commercial tenants have vacated the building.

Repair work began in 2020 and was only expected to last a brief duration, but now exasperated residents have been told the structure could stay in place until 2027.

Extended Timelines

Sir Robert McAlpine (SRM), the main contractor, says it will be "near the finish" of 2026 before the first sections of the scaffold can be dismantled.

Edinburgh's council leader Jane Meagher has called it a "eyesore" on the area, while heritage campaigners say the work is "very troublesome".

What is going on with this apparently perpetual project?

A Troubled History

The sizeable hotel was developed on the site of the former Lothian Regional Council offices in 2009.

Projections from when it initially debuted under the a fashion-branded banner, put the cost of construction at about £30m.

Remedial efforts began not long after the start of the coronavirus outbreak with the hotel itself shut for business since 2022.

A section of the street and a significant portion of footpath leading up to the intersection of the tourist drag have been left out of action by the work.

People on foot going to and from the an adjacent district and Victoria Terrace have been required in a line into a tight, enclosed passage.

An eatery a well-known restaurant departed from the building and transferred to a different location in 2024.

In a statement, its operators said construction activity had forced them to modify the restaurant's facade, adding that "guests were entitled to a superior experience".

It is also hosts popular eatery Pizza Express – which has displayed large banners on the scaffold to remind customers it is open for business.

Slipped Schedules

An update to the council's transport and environment committee in the start of the year indicated that the process of "uncovering" the façade would commence in February, with a complete dismantling by the year's end.

But SRM has said that is incorrect, pointing to "exceptionally intricate" construction issues for the postponement.

"We expect starting to remove portions of the framework near the finish of the coming year, with additional work proceeding afterwards," they said.

"We are collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders to ensure we create an enhanced site for the public."

Local and Conservation Frustration

A heritage director, lead of heritage body the Cockburn Association, said the work had contributed to the city's reputation of being "slow" for urban works.

She said those involved in the project had a "civic responsibility" to lessen disruption and should blend the work into the city's streetscape.

She said: "It renders the pedestrian experience in that section exceptionally challenging.

"It is perplexing why there is not some attempt to incorporate it within the streetscape or develop something more aesthetic and avant-garde."

Ongoing Efforts

A project spokesperson said work on "solutions to beautify the site" was continuing.

They stated: "We acknowledge the frustrations felt by nearby inhabitants and businesses.

"This represents a long and drawn-out process, reflecting the difficulty and size of the remedial work required, however we are focused on completing this vital work as soon as is practicable."

The council leader said the council would "maintain pressure" on those responsible to wrap up the project.

She said: "This structure has been a problem for years, and I share the frustration of residents and area enterprises over these ongoing postponements.

"However, I also acknowledge that the firm has a duty to make the building safe and that this remediation has proved to be exceptionally difficult."